The Society’s Design Award for 2018 will cover new building projects, extensions and landscaping schemes in the Parish of Cookham, which have been completed by 31st December 2017. The Award is given to projects which enhance the visual environment and are in keeping with the Cookham Village Design Statement. If you would like to make a nomination for the Award please ask Pablo Dubois (pablo@dubois.me.uk) for a Nomination Form, which should be completed and returned to him by 31 December 2017, either by email or toRegency Cottage, The Pound, Cookham SL6 9QD

However all I can think of is those ugly buildings that have been approved - such as the one up by the car park in terry's lane - where it looks like the Golf Club house - yet, the lovely old house just on the bridge has planning approved to build yet another 'Ascot looking Home'... to mimic the other ugly house built on the old Dean Grange plot and lastly, the one that looks like a Lego house at the start of Winter Hill, where it replaced the part tiled/thatched cottage that would / should of starred in Midsomer Murders!

How is it being disrespectful by not liking the look of something? We don't all like the same things and really it is the planners at fault for allowing buildings that are not in keeping with their surroundings to be built. In essence, there is nothing wrong with any of them, if they were in a different setting, it's the fact they are in a semi rural area and stick out like sore thumbs that prompts people to air their opinions in a negative fashion.

I understand it may not to be your taste, but it passed the planning and was built, but calling someones house a monstrosity on a forum isn't particularly pleasant - it's just trolling. You obviously feel so strongly that you'd say it to the owners face how you feel about their house, and not just post it on a forum.

You are entitled to your opinion - everyone is, but sometimes they are like farts - we all have them, but not everyone wants to hear them in public :-)

I see that you would get on famously with Prince Charles - NOT!He too expresses his opinions on architecture (somewhat like your farts - but he does it openly and in public) by describing buildings as monstrosities and carbuncles on the landscape.No difference here - only mine is a humble expression on a single dwelling amid some aesthetically pleasing houses across a beautiful landscape.

And by the way, I am not a troll.Only someone who is not afraid to express my opinion.My views and comments were expressed at the time of asking - and are in the public domain.

As Clipper and Paris have both intimated .... Losing the Cookham charm slowly ... And if someone described my house as a monstrosity (whether to my face or on a forum, it matters not), I'd take a closer look at what could be done to improve it aesthetically.

I just feel VERY sorry for the Cookham's, seeing the character of the area being eroded by very poor design. Its a village, and used to have a really nice feel to it.. now its starting to look like a stage set for 'The Only Way Is Essex' !

Would it really cost any more money to build something that blends in and enhances the surrounding area - and with that, I don't mean a Golf Club House ; )

Each to their own... but when the awards get handed out, consideration should be given to the character and how well it sits within the area - but that's MPO.

I honestly do not believe that the Planners have got "taste" when it comes to approving dwelling constructions.Certainly not in and around the Cookhams.Which highlights the oft used expression... "It's not what you know but who you know" - when dealing with the RBWM planning dept.

I wonder at times if these people (planners and Cllrs) lack 'common sense' !

Cookham is a village - not a sprawled out part of Maidenhead or even Bournend (I see Bournend postings on this board now). Its really sad to see how fast things can change, not for the better either.

I also noticed that the Doggy Day Care by the Tack Shop is well established now, with concrete thrown down, lots of cars parked up... and horrible urban fencing and random building placed on site. But no planning?

Wonder how long it will be before housing goes on... and then that's another field ear-marked for a few rows of houses... and our planners and Cllrs are too short sighted to see... and by that point it will be too late because the precedent is already set !

no normal 'House Holder' could / would dare to do such a thing.... so how do these land owners get away with it ?

I just feel VERY sorry for the Cookham's, seeing the character of the area being eroded by very poor design. Its a village, and used to have a really nice feel to it.. now its starting to look like a stage set for 'The Only Way Is Essex' !

Really? I mean, seriously? Do you realise how ludicrous that whole statement sounds?

I just feel VERY sorry for the Cookham's, seeing the character of the area being eroded by very poor design. Its a village, and used to have a really nice feel to it.. now its starting to look like a stage set for 'The Only Way Is Essex' !

Really? I mean, seriously? Do you realise how ludicrous that whole stuatement sounds?

Nothing wrong with that statement at all. The Cookhams are being eroded and are losing their individuality because of generic contemporary design with little in the way of consideration for the surroundings and even less for residents who came here because of our lovely older buildings and truly cohesive village feel.

Really? I mean, seriously? Do you realise how ludicrous that whole statement sounds?

I agree, both pompous and arrogant, this statement is clearly delivered by a person who has no sense of a serenevillage habitation or else has their head buried so deep in the sand and is so taken in by excuses handed out by an overbearing beuraucracy, they now find it hard to see the wood for the trees.

Wake up and smell the coffee Burtie ... there was absolutely nothing ludicrous in the original statement posted by Clipper.